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New York Catholic Sisters Shielded from Assisted‑Suicide Law
On July 30 2026 U.S. District Judge Anne Nardacci issued a temporary restraining order that bars New York State from enforcing its Medical Aid in Dying Act against four Catholic religious orders—the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict, and the Little Sisters of the Poor—and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The order prevents the state from requiring the groups to provide information, counseling, referrals or any participation in assisted‑suicide procedures while the lawsuit proceeds. The lawsuit, filed by the orders and represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, argues the law violates their First Amendment rights. Bishop John Barres called the decision “an important step toward protecting religious freedom.” The state agreed to the order, delaying enforcement of the law scheduled to take effect on Aug 5 2026, and set an Aug 20 deadline for Attorney General Letitia James to respond.
Entities
Anne Nardacci · Attorney General Letitia James · Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm · Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne · Governor Kathy Hochul · John Barres · Judge Anne M. Nardacci · New York Medical Aid in Dying Act · New York State
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 14 SOURCES] The Medical Aid in Dying Act is scheduled to take effect on Aug. 5, 2026. vision.org.au · www.worldcatholicnews.com · anglican.ink · ewtn.co.uk · aleteia.org · +6 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The statute mandates oral and written requests, confirmation by two physicians, a mental‑health evaluation, and a five‑day waiting period unless death is imminent.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Diocese of Rockville Center, Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, Little Sisters of the Poor, and Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict have filed a federal suit vision.org.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] Bishop John O. Barres and Bishop John S. Bonnici have publicly condemned the law, calling it a “culture of death.”
- [● 2 SOURCES] Healthcare providers may opt out of providing the medication on religious, moral, or ethical grounds but must still counsel patients about all options, including assisted suicide.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The medication typically costs several hundred dollars and is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or most private insurance plans.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Eligibility requires the patient to be at least 18, a New York resident, capable of informed decision‑making, and physically able to self‑administer the drug.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The law permits mentally competent adults with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to request a life‑ending medication.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The order sets an Aug. 20 deadline for New York Attorney General Letitia James to respond to the emergency motion. justthenews.com · www.osvnews.com · www.worldcatholicnews.com · anglican.ink · ewtn.co.uk · +5 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Medical Aid in Dying Act is scheduled to take effect on August 5, 2026. www.worldcatholicnews.com · anglican.ink · ewtn.co.uk · www.deseret.com · justthenews.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The four protected Catholic orders are the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict, and the Little Sisters of the Poor. www.worldcatholicnews.com · anglican.ink · ewtn.co.uk · www.deseret.com · justthenews.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre said the order is an important step toward protecting religious freedom. www.worldcatholicnews.com · anglican.ink · ewtn.co.uk · www.deseret.com · justthenews.com · +3 more